The pitch black darkness is no longer. (TN Snark: And the two phases before that are Aqua and Megumin)

“You alright? Hey!”

Faced with another question,

“I’m fine. I’m awake.” (TN Snark: Way to state the obvious.)

I answer as such,

“Do you know your name?”

“Of course–”

And I say my name. (TN Snark: Francis Xavier)

“Do you know the date today?”

“May 15th, Thursday.”

I answer. He never asked me what day is it, but I add on just in case.

“Does your head hurt?”

“No, feels good now.”

“Do you feel hurting in your body somewhere?”

“No, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Need an ambulance?”

“No, no need for that. Can I get up now?”

“Please, take it easily though.”

I exert strength in my abdomen, and slowly lift my upper body.

Then, I turn my body to the right, and put my feet down. No problems with this action at all.

I look around the room I’m in.

It’s about 8 tatamis wide, with the tables, chairs side by side. It appears to be an office, but it’s a little messy. The tables and chairs designs look simple, plain.

I turn my eyes aside, and see simple beds leaning on the wall, forming two Ls. (TN Snark: Can’t you just say that they’re at the corners?)

Of course, I’m on one of the beds, and I can smell the stinging disinfectant. I can hear a slow rumbling of the trains from afar.

I know without asking where I am. It’s the sick bay in the station. I’m in it now.

I can see the clock on the wall to my left.

I see the digital display. Less than 2 minutes passed since the Limited Express arrived.

And without asking, I know what happened.

I lost consciousness, but I wasn’t choked to death. She probably let go just a few moments afterwards.

The train then reached this station.

I don’t know if I’m stretchered here or carried here, but I manage to regain consciousness immediately. (TN Snark: If you’re carried here, I think you should sue the train staff for improper procedures…)

I’m not dead.

Thank goodness.

Really, thank goodness. (TN Snark: If you are dead, you won’t be writing this story.)

Anyway, really, thank goodness. However, there’s something more important now.

How’s Nitadori doing? (TN Snark: How’s your girlfriend doing?)

I immediately got my answer. That’s because there’s a girl with her head lowered, sitting on another bed under the clock.

It’s a bright brown short hair. She’s looking down, and I can’t see her, but from the jeans and the light blue sweater attire, I can tell that it’s definitely Nitadori.

She’s sobbing.

“Uu…uuu…uuu…”

I can hear a feeble sobbing voice.

There are two women seated beside Nitadori.

They seem to be cuddling Nitadori, and seem to be holding her down, preventing her from running away. (TN Snark: The way this is described makes me think they would have put her inside a straitjacket or something)

Without any explanation, I know that the one to the left of Nitadori is Miss Conductor. The conductor on the Limited Express we were on.

Then, I start to deduce…

The shriek I hear before I lose consciousness was from her. She’s my savior.

Miss Conductor must have arrived at the scene right on time, and tried to stop Nitadori who would have strangled me to death if she kept it up, before notifying the attendant on the platform.

Another woman was seated opposite Miss Conductor, and she too appears to be in her late twenties. She has short, black hair, and is wearing a navy blue suit with pants. (TN Snark: Both women will kill you for calling them late twenties)

She’s touching Nitadori on the back with her right arm, appearing to be comforting the sobbing Nitadori desperately. Nitadori’s luggage was placed by her side.

I don’t know who she is, but I can deduce. I guess that should be the case.

There’s also a middle aged male staffer who’s looking perturbed her being dragged into in trouble, and another young police officer who appears to be 20. There are 7 people in this room.

I slowly look around the room, and finally, at the basket beside my bed, looking at the thing inside.

It’s my backpack.

The zip that should have been sealed up is open, and I can see my laptop inside. The draft that should have been inside the bag is stuffed messily into my bag.

I see. This is a precious hint. Nitadori hasn’t said anything. (TN Snark: Just as planned)

For caution sake, I ask back,

“Erm…you haven’t heard from her?”

The police officer shakes his head.

“Nope. She’s been crying all the time. Of course, once she calms down a little, I intend to question her.”

Good.

I feel that I’m a shallow person.

I read a lot of books for a long time, and due to the influence of books, I tried to write a novel, managed to debut successfully, and my work’s successful enough to be adapted into an anime. However, I’m just a shallow person who’s just that much.

Even so, since I found what I have to do, I should be working hard, aiming for that goal.

No matter how arduous it is, if there’s only one way to do that, I should do it courageously.

What I’m going to do next isn’t something that allows for failure.

If I ask myself if I’m able to do it, I suppose I probably won’t be able to.

If not for this situation, I definitely won’t try such a thing, let alone do it.

To be honest, I really want to run away. Run to a hiding place.

Shouldn’t I have made that kind of determination?

But if I don’t do this, right now–

I won’t be able to help Nitadori.

This is the first and last chance.

All I can only do is to go all in now.

And so, I–

While I sit up on the bed–

I shout loudly in my heart.

Time to Play. (TN Snark: Now playing, ‘I came to Play’)

I suddenly stand up, causing those looking at me to be taken aback.

There’s a mirror hanging on the wall behind me. I already saw the mirror when I was lying down.

So I quickly turn around.

And look at the mirror.

There are some clear long fingerprints on the sides of my throat. Those are the marks left behind by Nitadori, and I guess they won’t be gone for quite a while. I feel that her strangling skills aren’t great. (TN Snark: If they were, you probably would have died anyway…)

I lift my chin, and shake my head around.

“Oh–oh! There are some obvious marks there!”

I declared loudly.

At the same time, Nitadori continued to sob weakly,

“Hii–?”

But she stops the moment she let out this funny voice.

“Erm…what about that?”

The middle aged police officer asked.

I turned my eyes from myself in the mirror to the police officer who’s very close to me.

And then, I notice–

That person’s eyes are really sharp, like a dagger. To be honest, I’m really scared. (TN Snark: But thou must. Go on brave warrior)

But right now, I don’t have the time to be scared.

I inhale.

“There’s nothing to say! –erm, I guess I have to say something , right?”

“If you don’t, I’ll ask her.” (TN Snark: Out for a date?)

“I got it! I’ll say! I–told her to strangle me!”

The police officer’s eyes are now as sharp as an eagle. It’s really scary. I’m sorry for lying, I’m really sorry. But please forgive me for today.

“That isn’t right? But that Conductor there said she saved you from being killed.”

I guess so.

Again, I look over to Miss Conductor.

It’ll be great if I can use telepathy now. But I don’t have such skill. (TN Snark: Time to create a character with such a skill then)

Miss Conductor, I’m sorry.

Your judgment was correct. (TN Snark: I don’t think you need much judgment for that)

I was nearly killed by Nitadori.

It’s very likely that I would have died if you didn’t happen to pass by.

You’re my savior.

From this outcome, you saved Nitadori too.

I’ll never forget this grace.

I’m so grateful that I’ll write a book with you as the protagonist one day.

And then, I’ll give half of the publishing fees to you. (TN Snark: You can start by getting her number)

But–

Please act as the antagonist now. There’s no other choice here.

I’m really, really sorry.

One day in the future, soon after, I hope to tell you the truth.

I’m really sorry.

“What are you saying? That’s not it!”

I shout with all my might.

“There wasn’t anyone down there, so I thought I just wanted to do a little on the corridor…erm…flirt around a bit! I said that before, right! That the feeling of being strangled is really comfortable! It’s just the misunderstanding of Miss Conductor, so she shrieked out loud, then Nitadori exerted strength due to her shock, I thought it was bad, but I got knocked out before I can give up!”

After hearing my words, Miss Conductor’s face paled.

“…I-I…ah, no…”

Miss Conductor’s face is so pale she stopped what she’s saying.

“Erm…”

And then, she’s unable to say anything.

It’s probably because she’s pointed out that she’s mistaken, and couldn’t give up on that possibility.

Considering the possibilities of ‘a girl wanting to strangle a boy’ and ‘a girl making out with a boy’–

The latter was more probable. (TN Snark: I think the poor lady’s more terrified that a couple younger than her has advanced to a stage further than she did.)

“Speaking of which, I was seated next to her before this. Miss Conductor should know that best. We rode the same ride to Tokyo so many times already!”

I told the police officer, and he turned his sharp stare towards Miss Conductor,

I guess that’s probably because Nitadori’s ticket is the green train carriage or a designated seat.

Then, Nitadori would have Miss Kamishiro sit in another carriage, or a front seat in the same carriage, before sitting beside me alone.

Once we arrive at the terminal, Nitadori will ask me to alight first, and then wait on the train for Miss Kamishiro to pick up her. They’ll then head towards the relative’s house in Mejiro–I don’t know whether it’s real or not, but in any case, they’ll be heard towards the lodging for that day.

“…”

Miss Kamishiro gives a grim look, thinking about what to say.

Please go along with my words so that we can help Nitadori.

“To be honest–”

Miss Kamishiro speaks up, and the police officer looks at her.

Nitadori, who’s been dumbfounded the entire time, turns her head slowly towards her bodyguard.

“I have no idea of Milady’s preferences. I do think there is a more suitable boyfriend for her, but well–from my viewpoint, I can’t nitpick anything about it.

She went along with it. Miss Kamishiro just went along with my acting.

Thank you! Miss Kamishiro! I won’t forget about this kindness!

I shout in my heart.

“But I never imagined that he would ask Milady to do such a thing. This caused such a huge commotion. What do you think about this?”

Miss Kamishiro then proceeds to glare at me.

I’m really sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

“Please don’t glare at me! I wasn’t the one choking her neck!”

“Of course! If you did that, I would have choked you instead!”

“You’re as scary as ever, Miss Kamishiro!”

“Milady asked me to let both of you chat alone on the train at least. I thought that you wouldn’t do anything indecent since it’s a public place, so I agreed to it unwillingly.”

“But I guess you better cover up that thing on your neck.” (TN Snark: Man, it rhymes…)

“Ah? Ahh, I guess…”

There are clear fingerprint marks on my neck, showing that I was strangled. Looking at this, I’m guessing that the fact I nearly got killed will be leaked. (TN Snark: I think the chances of your identity being leaked in more likely)

Even in a major city like Tokyo, I guess there aren’t that many people who were nearly choked to death. I’ll attract a lot of attention. (TN Snark: I don’t think there’s a lot of people who’re choked to death in the world, as compared to being outright murdered…unless someone has the Force or something)

I get onto my feet, look at the mirror, and try to pull my collar up. It manages to cover for the time being, but I have to hold it down with my hands. It’ll be rather troublesome to continue maintaining this situation. (TN Snark: You trying to be Shakespeare or something?)

The police officer too gets to his feet, taking a face towel from the side of my bed, and hands it over to me.

“Hey, use this to cover.”

“Eh? –I can take this?”

“Just one, so it’s fine, I suppose. I just need to say ‘I threw it away after wiping off the nosebleed’.” (TN Snark: This guy obviously wasn’t bluffed by the act…)

Is this really alright, Mr Police Officer? But to be honest, he really helped me out a lot.

I put the towel over my neck.

It’s a little weird, but no weirder than having a choke mark on my neck.

“Thanks. I’ll buy a muffler from the shops in the station.” (TN Snark: Now where have we seen such a scene?)

“That’s good. I’ll be heading back then. Don’t forget your bag.”

“Yes.”

I take my bag out of the basket, pull the zipper, and sling it over my right shoulder.

“Thank you very much.”

I then lower my head in thanks. The police officer then says to me,

“In your next meeting, pull yourself through.”

I tilt my head, answering,

“I’m intending not to cause as much of an uproar as possible…”

The police officer then teased me.

“You idiot! I’m referring to when you meet her the next time!” (TN Snark: Now you have someone backing your relationship with the girl. Good job.)